IAM red light jumping stats for cyclists misleading says CTC

A ‘survey’ by IAM, as reported by BikeBiz and The Guardian’s Bike Blog, suggests that ‘57% of cyclists admit to jumping red lights’.

Rikard Stadler Image - shutterstock.com

On closer inspection the figures, which came from a self-reported internet poll, reveal that only 2% of respondents said they jump lights ‘frequently’, while 42% say that they jump lights ‘once or twice’ or ‘rarely’ and another 44% say they never have.

CTC’s Campaigns and Policy Director Roger Geffen says: “As road users we would like to see road traffic laws enforced for the safety of everyone, but let’s not forget that the risk imposed by cyclists is minimal when compared to red light jumping drivers.”

He continues: “Of pedestrians injured in London in a collision caused by red light jumping, only 4% involve cyclists, whereas 71% occur when a car driver jumps a red light and 13% when a motorcyclist does. As an organisation representing those two road user groups, CTC suggests the Institute of Advanced Motorists ought to call for more road traffic policing to enforce traffic laws, rather than highlighting red light jumping by cyclists.”

CTC, the UK’s largest cycling charity, inspires and helps people to cycle and keep cycling, whatever kind of cycling they do or would like to do. Over a century’s experience tells us that cycling is more than useful transport; it makes you feel good, gives you a sense of freedom and creates a better environment for everyone.

Survey by Brake found 48% of respondents admitted to talking on their phones while driving. 65% of that group used hand-held mobile phones, which is illegal. Even using a hands-free mobile is deemed to result in up to 30% increased reaction time when compared to the legal alcohol limit.

Data obtained from Transport for London by CTC revealed that from 1998-2007 an average of 5 pedestrians were injured per year after a cyclist had jumped a red light, whereas 14 were injured by red light jumping motorcyclists, 78 by red light jumping car drivers and 13 in collisions with taxis, buses or other vehicles. In addition, 5% of cyclists killed and seriously injured in London in 3 of the most recent years occurred after the cyclist had disobeyed a red traffic light or give way marking; 15% of cyclists were killed or seriously injured when another vehicle disobeyed a red traffic light or give way marking.